Study links hike in number of obese Americans to higher rates of hypertension

WASHINGTON A study published in the journal Hypertension has shown that rising rates of obesity are contributing to rising rates of high blood pressure.

At the same time, however, more of them are getting treatment for it.

The study, by researchers at the National Institutes of Health, analyzed patient data collected between 1998 and 2004, showing that 29 percent of adults in the United States had hypertension, compared to 24 percent during the period between 1988 and 1994. Thirty percent had prehypertension, or slightly elevated blood pressure that is a precursor to hypertension, meaning that less than half of Americans had normal blood pressure levels.

DEERFIELD, Ill. Walgreens has announced that it ship diabetes testing supplies for free to people who have their supplies covered under Medicare Part B.

The move comes at a time when budgets are tight—especially for seniors. To make getting diabetes supplies easier and more affordable, Walgreens said, patients can pick up their testing items at one of the 6,400 stores or have supplies mailed to their home at no cost.

Those seniors who are eligible can sign up by calling 1-888-PARTB-65 (1-888-727-8265) or request a call from a Walgreens representative by logging on to https://www.walgreens.com/partb. Special Walgreens phone reps will assist with filing all of the necessary Part B claim forms and will answer any other additional questions, the company said.

Bruno’s, Food World stores announce closings of many in-store pharmacies

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. Bruno’s over the weekend announced that 22 out 40 in-store pharmacies in Bruno’s and Food World stored throughout Alabama and Florida will be closed. The closures will affect about 60 employees, the company said.

Bruno’s will sell remaining prescriptions and pharmaceutical inventories to CVS, a spokesman told the local media. CVS may also retain some of Bruno’s pharmacy employees.

No word yet on what Bruno’s will do with the remaining space in stores.

RELATED NEWS

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic of Hoffman-La Roche’s Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) capsules from Lupin. The company’s generic will be available in 30-, 45- and 75-mg dosage strengths.
The product is inficated to treat acute, uncomplicated influenza A and B in patients 2 weeks of age and older, as well as to prevent influenza A and B in patients 1 year old and older. The drug had U.S. sales of roughly $467.8 million for the 12 months ended October 2017, according to IQVIA data.

Behavioral health pharmacy and telepsychiatry company Genoa, a QoL Healthcare Company, has reached a big number with its remote psychiatry offering. The Tukwila, Wash.-based company announced Tuesday that it had facilitated more than 100,000 telepsych consultations on its video conferencing platform.
Genoa attributes the milestone to its recent buildup of its telepsychiatry operations, which grew to include 35 in 2017 from 20 at the start of the year, and included 250 providers. In 2017, the company grew to serve more than 2,500 patients per week.

This year's flu continues to be Texas big, according to the Walgreens Flu Index released Wednesday, as the top 10 communities experiencing the greatest amount of flu incidence were all located in the Lone Star State for the week ended Jan. 6.
Iowa, Idaho and Arkansas rank behind Texas in terms of flu activity. And Montana, Idaho and Iowa ranked highest among states experiencing flu activity gains.

Amneal Biosciences has launched its generic of Otsuka’s Busulfex (busulfan injection, 6 mg/ml). The product is indicated to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Amneal said that its generic is available in cartons of eight single-dose vials, each of which contains 60 mg of the drug in a 10-ml clear sterile solution. The product is made without natural rubber, latex, gluten or preservatives, Amneal said.
The drug had U.S. sales of roughly $80 million for the 12 months ended October 2017, according to data from IQVIA.

Amneal Pharmaceuticals has launched sevelamer carbonate tablets, 800 mg, in 270-count bottles. This generic from the Bridgewater, N.J.-based company is an AB-rated therapeutic equivalent to Renvela.
Amneal also launched five other products in addition to sevelamer carbonate:

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